St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-12-22

collection OF Christmas articles. PeO-
pie were hurrying by with great bask-
cts loaded down, and others had wag-
ons and sleds, while one fond father
had a rockinghorse on his shoulder.
The hum of many voices rang out mu-
sically on the frosty air. The deacon
made his way through the crowd, and
entered the store in a state of happy
bewilderment. Happily for him, the
first clerk he addressed was one who
knew his family well.
"GoOd evening, deacon what can
do for you tonight Z" said the yOun g
man, expecting him to purchase, per-
haps, a paper of pins.
swell, Fred, tomorrow is Christ
mas, and thought I'd drop in and get
mother and the children few trink-
ets," half alphabetically.
"Oh, yes, | see," said the young
man, trying to conceal his surprise.
eve have a supply of toys now, SO
you can get anything here from set
of furs to tin rattle box"
"There! that's just what | want"
cried the deacon. "MOther is crazy for
a set of furs, and the baby never had a
rattle" SO beautiful set of furs and
bright tin rattle were laid side by
side.
snow, the boys" suggested the
clerk.
ayes, Harry wants sled, he has al
ways slid down hill on a board but
wouldn't he clap his hands over that
red one named General Grant =" So
General Grant" was added to the list
of treasures. "Rob wants set of
Oliver Optics books and he shall have
them. Now Mile and Hattie want
some new winter dresses, l know ;
but for the life of me, | don't know
what to choose"
The clerk selected some wooden
goods of rich maroon color, and put
it with the rest. Regardless of the al
ready large bill, the deacon could not
resist several additions, tn the way of
ribbons for the girls and new inven-
tons in tin ware for the little mother.
At last, everything had been tucked
away in the springwagOn and, after
stepping into several other stores near
to indulge in few joys for the Sinner
man." in the shape of candy, nuts, and
oranges, the deacon drove home. Do
you think he felt poor, or cold, or
tired 2 Bless your heart he never
felt so happy before in his life, and
hardly noticed the long six miles.
He had intended keeping it from his
wife till morning, but she was up keep
ing the fire bright and a cup of tea hot
for him so he told all, even to the
dream. And she, poor soul cried like
child over the beautiful furs. Her
happy tears were not for the present,
but for the love she saw really did ex
list under her husbands heretofore in
different manner. Then five pair of
stockings were hung up, and filled by
a very Happy father and mother.
The next morning there was a scene
of surprise and merriment such as the
old farmhouse had never beheld before.
The deacon before had always sold
his turkeys, because they brought a
good price but he had remembered
that the night before so, instead of
the usual ham and eggs, there were
turkey and plum-pudding on his table
that Christmas day.
That was ten years ago, and Christ
mas always comes now to Deacon
Hawley's home. When the children
declare there isn't another such a faith
er in the world, the deacon, whose
hair is almost as white as the Christ
mas snow, now smiles to himself, and
rejOices that he had dream to remind
him: GAS We have done it unto the
least of these my children, ye have
done it unto me-"